St Andrew and St Francis CofE Primary School, located on Belton Road in Brent, London, recently underwent an ungraded inspection by Ofsted on June 13 and 14, 2023. The school has been recognized for its commitment to providing a nurturing and effective educational environment, continuing to be classified as a good school.
At the heart of the local community, St Andrew and St Francis CofE Primary School fosters a welcoming atmosphere where pupils feel happy and safe. The caring and kind nature of the adults in the school significantly contributes to the well-being of the students. The staff are dedicated to understanding the individual needs of each pupil, ensuring that their pastoral care, including mental health and social-emotional needs, is prioritized.
The new leadership team has set high expectations for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The swift actions taken by leaders to address any instances of unkindness among pupils reflect a proactive approach to maintaining a positive school culture. The pupils enjoy engaging in various activities and generally exhibit good behavior both in class and around the school.
The school offers a broad and ambitious curriculum, starting from the Nursery level, where children are immersed in a language- and number-rich environment. The curriculum is designed to build pupils' knowledge and skills effectively, preparing them for future educational stages. However, the inspection highlighted that in some subjects, the curricular thinking is not as well developed. Leaders need to identify the essential content that pupils must know and remember with greater precision, particularly from the early years.
Teachers at St Andrew and St Francis present information clearly and help pupils develop strong speaking and mathematical skills. For example, early years staff effectively engage children in counting activities. Nevertheless, there are occasions when lessons do not break down learning into smaller, manageable steps, which can hinder deeper understanding.
Reading is a priority at the school, with children beginning to learn phonics in the early years. Pupils achieve commendably in their phonics assessments, demonstrating confidence and accuracy in applying their knowledge to writing. Regular checks on pupils' phonics knowledge allow teachers to identify those needing extra support promptly, ensuring that all pupils can read fluently.
The school places significant emphasis on the personal and spiritual development of its pupils. Staff encourage students to become responsible citizens, with older pupils taking on roles such as 'play leaders' and 'reading buddies' to support younger children. The curriculum promotes understanding and celebration of diversity, helping pupils appreciate their unique identities.
St Andrew and St Francis offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including chess, film club, and yoga. The school organizes engaging visits to nature parks, historical sites, and museums, enriching the pupils' educational experiences.
The school is committed to ensuring that pupils with SEND have access to the same ambitious curriculum as their peers. Staff are skilled in recognizing the individual needs of each child, providing a balanced approach to academic and pastoral support that enables many SEND pupils to achieve highly.
The safeguarding arrangements at St Andrew and St Francis are effective. Staff are well-trained to identify and report concerns about pupils, and leaders promptly follow up on any issues, ensuring strong communication with external agencies. Pupils are educated about healthy relationships and online safety, equipping them with the knowledge to navigate potential challenges.
While the school has many strengths, the inspection identified areas for improvement. In some foundation subjects, key content is not precisely identified, which can lead to an overload of information for pupils. Leaders are encouraged to ensure that the knowledge pupils need to know and remember is clearly outlined across all subjects. Additionally, the implementation of the intended curriculum needs to be strengthened to enhance pupils' deeper learning.
In conclusion, St Andrew and St Francis CofE Primary School continues to be a good school, characterized by a supportive community, high expectations, and a commitment to the holistic development of its pupils. With a focus on refining curricular implementation and ensuring clarity in subject content, the school is well-positioned to enhance its educational offerings further. The dedication of the staff, the engagement of the pupils, and the support from the community all contribute to a thriving learning environment.
